We have always been best friends, and our relationship has been really easy, with the same goals and interests.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Joel a calm, collected, nature and Jess a little more on the excited, overactive side. Both share a love for travelling, Beach, snowboarding, food, exercise and being outdoors.
Since we married, we have moved to the beach and love riding and walking with our little fur baby, Hunter the Pomeranian.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Joel and I met over 10 years ago, both in our fun party years. We had mutual friends and lived in the same area. We spent a long time having fun, travelling, and not taking life too seriously until we decided to settle and buy our first home four years in. I fell in love with Joel’s caring side. He always thought of me before himself from the start.
He unconditionally gave me so much love and calmed and settled me as a person in so many ways.
Joel says that Jess was very outgoing, the life of the party, and sometimes I was a bit uncertain what I was getting myself into!
I knew very quickly that she had a heart of gold, the light of any room, quirky, and a loving nature. We have always been best friends, and our relationship has been really easy, with the same goals and interests.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Joel had originally planned to propose on our America trip, however that got cancelled due to covid. Instead, we went on a weekend away to the Gold Coast. We were on an afternoon bike ride and ice cream run when he pulled us up at the beach. Simple but cute proposal on a March peachy sunset afternoon. I was completely shocked as I had no idea it was coming. So much so I left him hanging for an answer whilst I asked all the ins and outs on how he got around The proposal without me knowing anything. Dinner and wines to celebrate that afternoon whilst we face timed our favourites.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
The venue. We wanted somewhere that was comfortable, suited us and had good organisation. Byron Bay Weddings and the Figtree was exactly that. Food was really important to us. Also, we are foodies, and good food brings people together! Have you eaten at the Figtree? Oh my gosh!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
The weather was on my mind when I woke up; torrential rain was happening on the Gold Coast, and It was really moody when I woke up. I was so busy all day that it slipped my mind completely, and then we looked outside, and it was the perfect weather. It made me even more grateful for sunshine having that worry.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
The history of the ceremony dress.. : Classic, simple and timeless. I found a dress that was very classic, elegant with a modern twist. The Tal Kedem Snow blossom gown was a fitted V neckline and a long cathedral length train. A flower spread across the chest line for a point of modern difference. We kept the boys looking smart in black tuxedos, white button ups with black bow ties and shoes.
My beautiful girls were in the Shona Joy smoke blue gowns. They had a few different styles in these gowns so the girls could pick what was comfortable to their body shape. I wanted them to look and feel themselves on the day. They all looked so stunning.
LOCATION Figtree Restaurant, Ewingsdale Byron, NSW, @figtreerestaurant PHOTOGRAPHER Shelley – Ivy Road Photography, @ivyroadphotography FLORIST Bloodwood Botanical, @bloodwoodbotanica CELEBRANT Andrew Michael – AM Wedding, @am.celebrant STYLING Byron Bay Weddings, @byronbayweddings CATERING Figtree Restaurant, @figtreerestaurant SIGNAGE Paper Paper Co, @paperpaper.co RINGS Xennox Diamonds, @xennoxdiamonds BRIDAL DRESS Tal Kedem Bridal, @tal.kedem.bridal BRIDE’S SHOE Slingbacks – Dior, @dior ACCESSORIES Earrings – Jennifer Behr, @jenniferbehr MAKEUP Alex Ouston Beauty, @alexoustonbeauty HAIR Chantelle Maree Hair, @chantellemareehair SUIT, SHOES, ACCESSORIES MJ Bale, @mjbale BRIDESMAID DRESS Shona Joy, @shonajoy
